2016 LCMS Convention Workbook available online

The 2016 LCMS Convention Workbook is available in PDF format on the “Convention” page at the Synod website (under “Downloads” or the “Resources” tab) — with several noteworthy changes, compared with previous editions.

Including a Biographical Synopses & Statements of Nominees booklet, the Workbook was posted to the site April 16 — 12 weeks before the start of the 66th Regular Convention July 9-14 in Milwaukee. That fulfills a Synod Bylaw stipulating that the Workbook must be available by that time.

Basically, the Workbook contains an array of reports and overtures (proposals for resolutions) in preparation for the convention. Floor committees will consider reports and overtures as they form resolutions for delegates’ action. The delegates also will elect Synod officers and board, committee and commission members — primarily from the slates of candidates whose biographical sketches and statements are contained in the accompanying booklet.

Through the office of the LCMS Secretary, the Synod co-publishes the Workbook with Concordia Publishing House.

Changes, new features

Synod Secretary Rev. Dr. Raymond L. Hartwig outlined for Reporter several of the changes and new features of the 2016 edition.

“Both the Workbook and its Biographical Synopses booklet have been reformatted to make them easier to use,” he said, including new and improved tables of contents, and an index at the back of the biographical booklet listing locations of all names appearing in the booklet.

Hartwig noted that the number of floor committees (18) for 2016 has more than doubled from recent conventions “to provide more time and opportunity for committees to zero in on the most important topics to come before the convention.”

He indicated that one new feature of the biographical booklet is a list of the names of all nominees considered by the Committee on Convention Nominations, forming the “pool” from which delegates may make nominations from the floor. The list also identifies those nominees whose qualifications for Concordia University System board positions have been successfully reviewed.

He pointed out that also new to the biographical booklet is “a second list of nominees from the nominating-ballot process for regional board positions who have indicated an interest in serving on a Concordia University System (CUS) board. This list includes markings to indicate those nominees whose qualifications have been reviewed and for which CUS board positions they can be available, should the convention allow nominations from the floor, from outside the pool.”

Another new feature of the 2016 Convention Workbook an index of all names in the nominees booklet and where the nominees are located.

Mailing in May

The 2016 Convention Workbook (including the Biographical Synopses & Statements of Nominees booklet) is expected to be mailed in early May to all convention delegates and alternate delegates; officers of the Synod; and members of LCMS boards, commissions and councils.

After that mailing in May, a limited number of copies will be available for purchase from Concordia Publishing House.

To order the 2016 Convention Workbook and the biographical booklet ($25, item no. 09-2627), contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit cph.org/workbook. This price does not include shipping charges.

“These two volumes of the Convention Workbook contain a huge amount of current information gathered from throughout the Synod,” Hartwig said. “By formatting and preparing this material for posting on the Internet and printing copies for those most involved in the convention, Concordia Publishing House has rendered important service to the Synod.

“The Workbook with its lists, reports and overtures provides interested readers with the most current and sweeping picture available today of the Synod’s operations, issues and challenges.”

Posted April 18, 2016 / Updated April 19 and April 27, 2016